Web-only letters to the editor, May 12, 2013

Dispatch.com regularly will post letters to the editor that don't make it to print in The Dispatch. Unlike letters to the editor that appear in the newspaper, Web-only letters have not been edited.

Dispatch.com regularly will post letters to the editor that don't make it to print in The Dispatch. Unlike letters to the editor that appear in the newspaper, Web-only letters have not been edited.

Preserving freedoms

I am tired of losing freedoms. We have lost a lot of our freedoms since 9-11 . All because the people where scared and the government took advantage of the fear to get more power. I fear the that the government will gain enough power that our votes will not really count. The police are arresting Journalists for reporting on things they would rather the public not know about, We have lost our rights to protest (The Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011), the government is collecting our Internet information and phone calls without warrants and now the government is trying to take away our guns so we can not defend ourselves from criminals. Please do not let what Our Soldiers have fought for go to waste, the price was to high to just give it all back.

Senator Portman stood up to protect us by supporting amendments that would have taken care of the real problems. Criminals with guns, the penalties need to be strong enough to keep anyone using a gun or trafficing illegal guns, including straw purchases, off the streets for a long time. The mentally ill, I understand the right for medical privacy and being in control of your own destiny, but what ever happened to a persons rights stopping where another persons rights begin.

We don't need more laws restricting the good people of this country, lets enforce the laws that are already on the books. Just because something bad happened does not mean the system is broke it just means that something fell though a crack, such as school security procedures which Senator Portman supported with an amendment to increase funding.

Kevin Fox, Galloway

Health education

As a public health educator and parent, Iím glad the issue of sexuality education came up a couple weeks ago as an amendment to the Ohio budget bill. I am also thankful that the amendment was heartily voted down (76-19). Instead of having lawmakers and individual interest groups ban individual topics or words, school districts need latitude to take into account what is happening in their community and design health content that best fits their communityís needs.

Public health educators use many tools, such as the Center for Disease Controlís School Health Index and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to help schools zero in on what health-related factors may be affecting graduation rates, drop out, absences and test scores. It is a proven fact that kids who are healthier do better academically. So it benefits schools to teach health and do a good job at it.

The whole controversial issue that the House of Representatives dealt with last week brings to light an essential tool that we havenít taken advantage of in Ohio: the National Health Education Standards (NHES). By using the NHES, we can be assured of quality health education, no matter what the topic. With NHES, students learn skills to access credible health information, use sound decision making skills, communicate health decisions, and set goals – things we all agree are important!

The adoption of Health Education Standards in Ohio is an uncomplicated but critical step if we want to improve our healthcare system and economy for the long term. Frederick Douglass once said "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." Learn more about NHES in Ohio by visiting www.setthestandards.wordpress.com.

Mary Chace

Asst. Professor, Community Health Education

Wright State University

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